Drinking vessel in the shape of a fist

Surviving Hittite objects in precious metal are very rare. This cup was evidently used for rituals connected with the storm god Tarhuna, who appears holding a bull in the frieze around the rim. The named donor of the cup was "Great King Tudhaliyas," who is shown leading priests and musicians from a city over a mountain, personified as a human figure covered with leaves. The fist shape probably evoked a Hittite hieroglyph meaning strength," and the cup may have been presented to the god so that he would grant strength to the royal donor when the contents were drunk.